Apparatus for charging coke ovens

ABSTRACT

A plurality of coal conveying conduits extend longitudinally along the coke oven battery in spaced parallel relation to each other. Branch conduits connect the coal conveying conduits with pressure reducing apparatus there below. The pressure reducing apparatus is connected to the charging holes and is arranged to separate the carrier gas from the coal particles. The carrier gas is withdrawn by means of suction conduits and the coal particles flow by gravity through the charging holes into the coke oven chambers. Another embodiment of the invention includes a vehicle movable along the roof of the coke oven battery that has transfer bins thereon connectable to the respective branch conduits. The carrier gas is separated from the coal particles in the transfer bins and conveyed through suitable dust collecting apparatus before the carrier gas is vented to the atmosphere. Another embodiment includes a flexible conduit connecting the transfer bins to the source of coal and pneumatically conveying the coal particles through the flexible conduit.

E. WIEMER Aug. 21, 1973 APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKI OVENS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 14. 1971 Aug. 21, 1973 E. WIEMER 3,753,867

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE OVENS Filed April 14 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Office 3,753,867 Patented Aug. 21, 1973 US. Cl. 202-262 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A plurality of coal conveying conduits extend longitudinally along the coke oven battery in spaced parallel relation to each other. Branch conduits connect the coal conveying conduits with pressure reducing apparatus therebelow. The pressure reducing apparatus is connected to the charging holes and is arranged to separate the carrier gas from the coal particles. The carrier gas is withdrawn by means of suction conduits and the coal particles flow by gravity through the charging holes into the coke oven chambers. Another embodiment of the invention includes a vehicle movable along the roof of the coke oven battery that has transfer bins thereon connectable to the respective branch conduits. The carrier gas is separated from the coal particles in the transfer bins and conveyed through suitable dust collecting apparatus before the carrier gas is vented to the atmosphere. Another embodiment includes a flexible conduit connecting the transfer bins to the source of coal and pneumatically conveying the coal particles through the flexible conduit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1) Field of the invention This invention relates to apparatus for charging coke ovens and more particularly to apparatus for charging coke ovens pneumatically by suspending the coal particles in a gaseous stream.

(2) Description of the'prior art Coke ovens are customarily charged by means of a larry car that travels on top of the coke oven battery in a longitudinal direction and is generally provided with four or five charging hoppers. The number of charging hoppers usually corresponds to the number of charging holes or inlets in the coke oven roof to each coke oven chamber. The plurality of charging hoppers usually contains a sufiicient amount of coal for a single charge and the charging hoppers are emptied into the coke oven chamber after the charging hole covers are removed and telescopic tubes are lowered into the charging holes. During the charging, gases escape from the coke oven chambers through the charging holes. Apparatus has been provided in the past for collecting charging gases discharged from the oven and cleaning the charging gases to minimize air pollution. Substantial expenditures are involved in providing gas collection apparatus of this type. Further, the larry cars are required to return to a coal hopper or coal tower to be reloaded after each coke oven chamber is charged. Thus, a substantial period of time is required to charge all of the coke oven chambers in a coke oven battery.

Coke ovens have, in the past, been charged pneumatically with coal suspended in a gaseous stream. A conveyor pipe is provided connecting the coal tower directly to the charging holes of the oven chambers in each coke oven battery whereby the coal and the gaseous conveying medium are both discharged directly into the coke oven chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The herein described apparatus for charging coke oven chambers is an improvement over the known apparatus for pneumatically charging coke oven chambers and includes a plurality of coal conveying conduits preferably corresponding to the number of charging holes in each coke oven chamber. The coal conveying conduits extend in a longitudinal direction along the coke oven battery in overlying relation with the charging holes of the respective coke oven chambers. The coal conveying conduits are connected adjacent one end to a measuring bin that is, in turn, connected to a source of coking coal. Apparatus may be provided to dry and preheat the coal at a location adjacent the measuring bin. D'epending branch conduits connect the coal conveying conduit to each of the charging holes therebelow. Suitable valve means is provided to control the flow of coal from the coal conveying conduit to the branch conduits. The branch conduits are connected to a pressure reducing chamber wherein the conveying gas is separated from the coal and removed through a suitable main conduit. A return conduit is connected to the coal conveying conduit to return the uncharged coal to the measuring bin.

Another embodiment of this invention includes a car that is movable longitudinally along the roof of the coke oven battery into overlying relation with the charging holes of the preselected coke oven chambers. Coal is pneumatically supplied by means of the coal conveying conduits through branch conduits to receivers on the movable car. The receivers serve as pressure reducing chambers and transfer bins to feed the coal by gravity into the respective charging holes of the coke oven chamber. Dust removal apparatus is connected to the transfer bins to remove the carrier gas and the dust created during charging of the coke oven chambers.

Accordingly, the principal feature of this invention is to provide an apparatus for pneumatically charging coke oven chambers in which the carrier gas is separated from the coal prior to the coals being charged into the coke oven chambers.

Another feature of this invention is to provide pneumatic apparatus for charging coke oven chambers wherein all of the charging holes of the coke oven chamber may be simultaneously charged with coal.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will be more completely disclosed and described in the following specification, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a coke oven battery illustrating the coal conveying conduits connected at one end to a measuring bin and to branch conduits for supplying coal to the preselected charging holes in the coke oven chambers.

FIG. 2 is a transverse view in section of the coke oven battery taken along the line IIII of FIG. 1 illustrating the conduit for removal of the charging gas.

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary view in section illustrating the valve mechanism connecting the coal conveying conduit with one of the branch conduits in a closed position.

FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3A illustrating the valve in an open position connecting the branch conduit to the coal conveying conduit.

FIG. 4 is a view in longitudinal section of a coke oven battery similar to FIG. 1 illustrating another embodiment of the invention in which a vehicle is arranged to move longitudinally along the top roof of the coke oven battery and feed coal from the coal conveying conduit into the charging holes of the respective coke oven chambers.

FIG. 5 is a view in section taken along the line V--V of FIG. 4 illustrating the vehicle with the transfer bins and gas removal apparatus connected thereto.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in section similar to FIG. 4 illustrating another embodiment of this invention wherein coal is delivered pneumatically by means of a flexible hose to the transfer bin on the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a coke oven battery generally designated by the numeral 10 that includes a plurality of transversely extending coke oven chambers, several of which are designated by the numerals 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. All of the coke oven chambers include a plurality of spaced charging holes 22, 24, 26 and 28, as illustrated in FIG. 2 for coke oven chamber 20. Coal is charged into the respective coke even chamber through the charging holes 22, 24, 26 and 28 in the roof 30 of the coke oven battery by means of the coal charging apparatus positioned thereabove and generally designated by the numeral 32. The coal charging apparatus includes a plurality of parallel coal conveying conduits 34 positioned in overlying spaced relation with the charging holes therebelow. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the coal conveying conduits 34 are positioned in overlying relation with the charging holes 22 of the respective coke oven chambers 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. Branch conduits 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 are connected to the coal conveying conduit in spaced relation to each other and depend downwardly toward the charging holes therebelow. Valves 46 are connected in the coal conveying conduit 34 to control the direction of flow of the pneumatically conveyed coal through the coal conveying conduit 34 and the associated branch conduits 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 associated therewith. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the valve 46 has a rotatable member 48 with a central longitudinal passageway 50 and a lateral passageway 52 connected thereto. The valve has a housing 54 with an inlet opening 56 and a first outlet opening 58. The inlet and outlet openings 56 and 58 are connected to the coal conveying conduit 34 so that when the valve is in the position illustrated in FIG. 3A the coal is pneumatically conveyed through the valve 46 down stream. The housing also has a second outlet opening 60 which is connected to the respective branch conduits 36. When the rotatable member 48 is rotated to the position illustrated in FIG. 3B, the pneumatically controlled coal is diverted by means of valve 46 downwardly into the branch conduit 36, 38, 40, 42 or 44 associated therewith.

Adjacent the one end of the coke oven battery 10 there is coal storage hopper 62 in which the coal to be charged to the coke oven chambers is stored. The hopper 62 has an outlet opening to which an outlet conduit 64 is connected at one end and the other end connected to a preferably enclosed measuring bin 66. A suitable valve 68 may be provided in the outlet conduit 64. Suitable means may be provided "in the measuring bin 66 to preheat or pretreat the coal therein. The measuring bin 66 may be supported on suitable choke boxes 70 and has an outlet opening 72 with an outlet conduit 74 depending therefrom. The outlet conduit 74 is connected to the coal conveying conduit 34 and is arranged to feed a predetermined quantity of coal into the coal conveying conduit 34. The carrier gas is supplied to coal conveying conduit 34 through conduit 76 located on the upstream side of measuring bin outlet conduit 74. Suitable valve means 78 may be provided to control the volume of carrier gas supplied to the coal conveying conduit 34. The carrier gas is introduced through conduit 76 and where untreated coal is fed from the measuring bin 66, air may be used as the carrier gas. Where the coal is pretreated and/or preheated, the carrier gas should be an inert gas to prevent premature ignition of the coal. Preferably, there are similar storage bins 66 associated with each of the coal conveying conduits 34. There is a return conduit 80 connected to the coal conveying conduit at one end and to the measuring bin 66 at the other end. The return conduit 80 is arranged to pneumatically convey the coal not charged into the coke oven chambers back to the measuring bin 66.

Positioned below the respective branch conduits 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44, are enlarged enclosed pressure reducing chamebrs 82. The chambers 82 are, in turn, connected to the respective charging holes 22, 24, 26 and 28. A carrier gas branch conduit 84 is connected to the pressure reducing chamber 82 at one end and to a transverse suction line 86 at the other end. The transverse suction line 86 is illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2. The transverse suction lines are, in turn, connected to a longitudinal collecting main 88 which conveys the carrier gas to a suitable central dust removal apparatus, not shown. As is further illustrated in FIG. 2, there is provided a collecting main 90 connected to the respective coke oven chambers by conduits 92. If desired, the charging gases formed on charging the coke oven chambers may be removed through the collecting main 90. When the collecting main 90 is closed, the charging gases can be removed through a separate suction line 94 connected to the respective coke oven chambers by conduits 96. The separate suction line 94 and the collecting main 90 have suitable valve means to control the flow of gases from the coke oven chambers through the conduits 92 and 96. The suction line 94 is also connected to central dust removal apparatus, not shown.

With the above described apparatus, a preselected coke oven chamber may be charged with coal by first filling the measuring bins 66 with a preselected quantity of coal. The valve 46 to the preselected coke oven chamber is positioned as is illustrated in FIG. 3B and valve 78 is opened so that carrier gas entering through conduit 76 pneumatically conveys the coal through the coal conveying conduits 34 to the respective branch conduits 36. The coal diverted by means of valve 46 from the coal conveying conduits 34 flows downwardly through the branch conduits 36 into the pressure reducing chambers 82. In the pressure reducing chambers 82 the carrier gas is separated from the coal particles by the suction or negative pressure applied through longitudinal collecting main 88 and transverse suction line 86 and carrier gas branch conduit 84. The coal particles then flow by gravity downwardly into the coke oven chamber therebelow. The carrier gas flows through the carrier gas branch conduit 84 and transverse conduit 86 to collecting main 88 and thereafter through a dust collecting apparatus. The charging gases formed on charging the coke oven chambers may be removed through either mains 90 or 94 and conveyed through dust connecting apparatus for removal of the dust prior to venting the charging gases to the atmosphere.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, similar numerals will designate similar parts of the apparatus previously described in reference to FIGS. 1 through 3. A vehicle generally designated by the numeral 98 is positioned on the roof 30 of coke oven battery 10 and is supported on wheels 100 to permit the vehicle 98 to move longitudinally on the roof of the coke oven battery. The vehicle 98 includes a frame member 102 on which there are supported a plurality of transfer bins 1104. Each bin 104 has an inlet conduit 106 with a quick connect coupling 108. The coupling 108 is arranged to connect the branch conduits 36 with the respective inlet conduits 106 of the transfer bins 104. With this arrangement and the proper positioning of valve 46, the coal is arranged to be pneumatically conveyed from coal conveying conduits 34 downwardly through the branch conduit associated therewith as, for example, branch conduits 36 illustrated in FIG. 5. The coal pneumatically conveyed downwardly through the branch conduits 36 flows into the enclosed transfer bins through inlet conduits 106. The

coal transfer bins 104 serve as pressure reducing chambers and separate the carrier gas from the coal particles. The transfer bins 104 have gas outlet conduits 110 that conve the carrier gas into dust removal apparatus 112 carried by the vehicle 98. Suitable means to provide a negative pressure for the transfer bins may also be provided with the dust removal apparatus 112. The cleaned carrier gas may be vented to the atmosphere through outlet 114 from the dust removal apparatus 112. The transfer bins 104 have an outlet conduit 116 that is connected to the respective charging holes as, for example, the charging holes 22, 24, 26 and 28 of coke oven chamber 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The coal particles flow by gravity through the outlet conduits 116 through the respec tive charging holes 22, 24, 26 and v28 into the coke oven chamber. Suitable gate valves 118 may be provided in the conduits 116.

With this arrangement the coal conveying conduits have their branch conduits 36 terminating at a location above the roof of the coke oven chamber. The branch conduits are connected to inlet conduits of transfer bins carried by a movable vehicle 98. The carrier gas is separated from the coal particles and the coal particles are thereafter fed by gravity through the charging holes into the coke oven chamber. The charging gas is cleaned in suitable dust removal apparatus on the vehicle prior to venting to the atmosphere. The charging gas created in charging the coke oven chambers may be removed as previously discussed.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention wherein the vehicle 98 has the transfer bins 104 supplied with coal particles pneumatically conveyed through a flexible conveyor line or hose 120. The hose 120 may be rolled and unrolled on a reel 122 supported by the vehicle 98. With this arrangement the stationary coal conveying conduits 34 and the branch conduits 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 and valves 46 are eliminated.

It should be understood that the various valves 46, 78, gate valves 118 and other valves associated with the previously described apparatus, may be centrally controlled in a completely automated operation of the coke oven battery and suitable operating or actuating devices may be employed.

The leveling of the coal charged into the coke oven chambers may be accomplished in a known manner by conventional leveling bars. When dried or preheated coal is used, self-leveling is accomplished under certain conditions so that only a slight leveling of the coal is required and in many instances the leveling operation can be completely eliminated. It is also possible to level the coal by means of vibrators inserted through the respective charging holes.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiments. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for charging a plurality of parallel spaced coke oven chambers arranged transversely in a coke oven battery comprising,

a plurality of coal conveying conduits extending longitudinally along the top of the coke oven battery in substantially parallel relation to each other and perpendicular to said plurality of transversely extending coke oven chambers,

each of said coal conveying conduits positioned in overlying relation with a coal inlet opening in a plurality of said transversely extending coke oven chambers therebelow,

a plurality of branch conduits connected to each of said coal conveying conduits, said branch conduits depending downwardly from said coal conveying conduits toward said respective coal inlet opening in said transversely extending coke oven chambers therebelow,

valve means between said coal conveying conduits and said branch conduits to selectively control the flow of coal from said respective coal conveying conduits downwardly through said respective branch conduits into preselected transversely extending coke oven chambers,

coal storage means connected to said plurality of coal conveying conduits adjacent one end thereof,

second valve means to control the flow of coal from said coal storage means to said coal conveying conduits,

said coal conveying conduits having a single carrier gas inlet means for each of said coal conveying con duits adjacent said coal storage means to supply carrier gas to said coal conveying conduits and pneumatically convey particulate coal through said coal carrier conduits to said respective branch conduits,

pressure reducing means to separate a substantial portion of said carrier gas from said particulate coal at a location adjacent said coal inlet openings of the coke oven chambers so that said particulate coal is fed by gravity into said coal inlet openings, and

conduit means connected to said pressure reducing means to collect and convey said carrier gas separated from said particulate coal in said pressure reducing means.

2. Apparatus for charging coke oven chambers arranged transversely in a coke oven battery as set forth in claim 1 in which,

said plurality of coal conveying conduits being equal to the number of coal inlet openings in the coke oven chambers of said coke oven battery so that said particulate coal is simultaneously conveyed through said plurality of coal conveying conduits into substantially all of the openings of a selected coke oven chamber to thereby charge said selected coke oven chamber through all of said coal inlet openings.

3. Apparatus for charging coke oven chambers arranged transversely in a coke oven battery as set forth in claim 1 in which said pressure reducing means includes,

enclosed pressure reducing chambers communicating with said coal inlet openings,

means to remove said carrier gas from said pressure reducing chambers and,

means to feed said coal particles by gravity to said coal inlet openings.

4-. Apparatus for charging coke oven chambers arranged transversely in a coke oven battery as set forth in claim 1 in which said pressure reducing means includes,

enclosed pressure reducing chambers having a coal outlet opening communicating with said coke oven chamber coal inlet openings,

a carrier gas outlet opening, and

an inlet opening communicating with a selected one of said branch conduits.

5. Apparatus for charging coke oven chambers arranged transversely in a coke oven battery as set .forth in claim 4 which includes,

a suction conduit connected to said carrier gas outlet openings of said pressure reducing chambers, said suction conduit arranged to withdraw said carrier gas separated from said particulate coal in said pressure reducing chamber.

6. Apparatus for charging coke oven chambers arranged transversely in a coke oven battery as set forth in claim 1 in which said pressure reducing means includes,

a vehicle positioned on the roof of said coke oven battery, said vehicle operable to mOVe longitudinally along said coke oven battery,

said vehicle having a coal transfer bin mounted thereon,

said coal transfer bin having an inlet opening arranged to be selectively connected to said branch conduits, a coal outlet opening arranged to be connected to a coke oven chamber inlet opening positioned therebelow and a carrier gas outlet opening,

said coal transfer bin arranged to separate said particulate coal from said carrier gas introduced into said coal transfer bin through said selected branch conduits and feed the particulate coal by gravity into said selected coke oven chamber through said coal inlet opening positioned therebelow.

7. Apparatus .for charging coke oven chambers arranged transversely in a coke oven battery as set forth in claim 6 which includes,

dust removal means connected to said carrier gas outlet means, said dust removal means arranged to separate dust from said carrier gas flowing through said gas outlet means.

8. Apparatus for charging coke oven chambers arranged transversely in a coke battery as set forth in claim 6 in which,

said vehicle includes a plurality of said coal transfer bins equal to the number of coal inlet openings in the coke oven chambers so that the particulate coal conveyed pneumatically through said plurality of coal conveying conduits is simultaneously charged into all of the inlet openings of a selected coke oven chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Schmidt 20l--40 X Schmidt 202-262 X Schmidt 202-262 Auvil 201- Schmidt 202-262 X Schmidt 20131 Anselman et al 30224 Herington 302-28 X Hijiya et al. 302-28 UX Krenke 302-28 NORMAN YUDKOFF, Primary Examiner D. EDWARDS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

